25/08/2026
Day 4 Update 🌸
Loving these updates ❤️
🇳🇿 NZSS SQUASH, DAY 4, THE RESILIENCE EDITION 🇳🇿
The word resilience is not one we use lightly, but it is a pretty accurate description of this team right now. Influenza is sweeping through camp like a toddler with a paintbrush, touching absolutely everything and leaving chaos behind.
Today, Liberty and Breaking Bihandu were both stood down through illness and injury. This handed NSW and Queensland two automatic three games to nil victories, and unfortunately both players will also be unavailable tomorrow. Despite being two players down, and with several others rattling about like portable pharmacies, the team turned up and played out of their skin.
A big thank you to AJ, who stepped up to post scores to the parent chat while I stepped out to take two players for medical attention. At the current rate, the medical centre may soon offer us a team loyalty card. Nine visits and the tenth X ray is free!
NEW ZEALAND V NSW
The first day of seedings swapsies began against an NSW team growing in confidence.
Our number 5 players faced the same opponents as yesterday, and the Kiwis were quickly out of the gates. Beau, Charlee and Jack raced to three games to nil victories. In Charlee’s case, she flew around the court like someone had released a flock of birds behind her. Those who know Charlee will understand that this is possibly the greatest motivational technique ever discovered.
Tia fought, and fought, and fought, and then fought some more. Unfortunately, after all that fighting, she narrowly fell three games to two. Then the switcheroo matches began.
Casey, Hemi and Eamon all chalked up victories. Eamon somehow rescued his match from the jaws of defeat, adding another chapter to his growing collection of matches that could have been straightforward but apparently needed a dramatic plot twist.
Lakisha battled hard, but her NSW opponent had an answer for every question she asked. Even the trick questions.
Our number 2 players then faced the NSW number 1s. Brooke recorded a tidy three games to one victory. Snap Snap Brodie, now sporting new shoes, fell three games to nil. On the positive side, he looked good. That applies to both the shoes and the way he played. The 1990s have officially been returned to the wardrobe.
Our number 1 players finished strongly against the NSW number 2s, picking up three wins from four.
The final result was a fantastic 12 matches to 8 victory for New Zealand. Not bad for a team missing two players and with half the squad keeping the local pharmacy in business.
NEW ZEALAND V QUEENSLAND
Queensland are looking very strong this year, and they gave us a serious test. In fact, as you will read below, a test they scored better than us.
In the Senior Boys, Jack continued his unbeaten run. Ciaran bounced back from his morning loss with a convincing three games to nil victory. Brodie played well but again came off second best. The new shoes had plenty of grip, but Queensland had an even tighter grip on the match.
Eamon continued his strong form, while Breaking Bihandu watched from the sidelines after returning from the X ray clinic. Given his recent history, this was probably the safest place for him, his ankle and every racquet in the building.
In the Senior Girls, Brooke battled hard against one of the best players at the tournament, Sarbani. That is a quick plug for Sarbani, because we know she is locked in and reading this report!
The other three Senior Girls all registered victories.
For the Junior Girls, the step up in class is proving daunting, but it is also providing a valuable learning experience. They continue to play with heart and commitment, but Queensland were too strong and claimed all five matches.
The Junior Boys remain our biggest success story of the tournament, winning four of their five matches. Perhaps sending the giant that is Beau onto court first gives us an immediate psychological advantage. Brooke required physio for a sore neck after just a five minute conversation looking up at him. Passing aircraft have been asked to keep a safe distance.
The tie finished level at 10 matches each, with Queensland taking the result on games countback. It has been many years since we lost a daily tie against Queensland, so the team’s resilience will be tested again tomorrow.
COMEBACK KIWIS
Comebacks were a major theme of the day. Amalia trailed 10 points to 6 in the fourth game before fighting back to win.
Eamon made sure he got his money’s worth with yet another five game thriller. If matches were charged by the minute, he would be demanding excellent value.
Ivana also produced a strong performance to defeat her NSW opponent three games to two.
The other highlight, or possibly lowlight, was an exhibition match between Coach Gareth and Stacy on court 6. Tyler was unimpressed that she had not been invited to play, while Aaron conveniently excused himself because he had not brought his gear. The three spectators appeared to enjoy the match, although they looked slightly confused about why neither NSW nor Queensland was involved. They may also have been waiting for some actual squash to begin.
After the matches, it was back to the accommodation, where Gareth held a recovery session in the pool. For our Australian readers, that is the peewl. Although “Australian readers” may itself be an oxymoron.
At least we assume it was a recovery session. It may simply have been the easiest way to check who still had enough energy to float.
CAPTION COMPETITION UPDATE
Our previous caption competition attracted a few online comments, but most entries were delivered verbally because people were worried their suggestions might not be politically correct. They still told me what they thought, of course. Apparently political correctness only applies when there is written evidence.
Breaking Bihandu and Coach Gareth received honourable mentions, but the overwhelming consensus was that the bird most resembled Caleb.
Congratulations, Caleb. We think.
Today we have another caption competition.
In the attached photo, Gareth is leading the team through a warm down after the day’s matches.
Add your funniest caption in the comments. The winner receives pride, glory and the nervous anticipation of wondering what tomorrow’s report might say about them.
👩🍳 NZSS SQUASH MASTERCHEF 👨🍳
Tonight it was the Senior Girls’ turn in the kitchen.
The entrée was boiled and then fried dumplings. Main course was bangers and mash, accompanied by peas that had only briefly met the cooking process and decided they preferred to remain acquaintances. Dessert was ambrosia, which restored confidence and possibly saved the overall score.
The competition remains extremely close, with only the Junior Boys left to poison, oops, we mean feed the judges tomorrow night. The judges have been advised to update their emergency contacts.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Overheard at the courts:
“I can appreciate a good squash player’s mum.”
We will leave that one without further investigation. Mainly because nobody wants to complete the paperwork.
In all seriousness, the support from our travelling parents has been fantastic, as has the online encouragement from parents and whānau back home. The players and management team really appreciate it. Even the supportive messages asking whether everyone is still alive.
One win, one narrow countback loss, several remarkable comebacks, one medical loyalty card, some suspiciously firm peas and a team refusing to give in despite illness and injury.
Tomorrow we go again. 🇳🇿💪
Squash New Zealand Poipātū Aotearoa
